Harare, (New Ziana) – Herbert Mutugwi, a senior journalist at the national news agency, New Ziana, collapsed and died on Monday at work.
He was aged 58.
Mutugwi had been unwell a few weeks ago, but had recovered and resumed duty.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe Mass Media Trust (ZMMT), the parent company of New Ziana, said Mutugwi’s passing on had brought ‘profound sadness’ and will adversely impact its editorial operations.
“The Board of Trustees of the Zimbabwe Mass Media Trust, along with management and staff, extend our heartfelt condolences to Herbert’s family and friends during this difficult time,” Ray Mungoshi, executive secretary of the ZMMT, said.
“Herbert was a valuable member of our team and played a crucial role in the revival efforts of New Ziana. His experience, expertise, and unparalleled ability to mentor reporters will be deeply missed,” he added.
“We have lost a true champion of journalism. His legacy will live on through the many lives he touched.”
With nearly four decades of work experience, Mutugwi was one of a few veteran journalists still in newsrooms anywhere in the country, imparting knowledge and experience to young professionals coming up.
He trained as a journalist at the Harare Polytechnic College where he graduated in 1987 with a Diploma in Mass Communications.
Immediately after completing his journalism studies, he joined the Chronicle newspaper as a cadet reporter, where he rose to become a senior reporter in 1990.
As testimony of his professional prowess, Mutugwi was promoted to the position of assistant news editor of the Chronicle two years later, in 1992. He held the position till 1997.
He used the position as a springboard for his promotion in 1997 to the post of news editor at Manica Post, a sister newspaper to the Chronicle.
Mutugwi held fort in the position at Manica Post for six years. News editorship is the nerve centre of any newsroom, a responsibility he discharged with distinction.
In 2010, he left the Zimpapers newspaper group, and joined New Ziana as editor of its Mashonaland Central provincial newspaper, Nehanda Guardian.
He edited the paper for two years before being posted in the same capacity to Masvingo Star, a bigger paper in the media house’s newspaper stable.
At the time of his untimely passing on, Mutugwi was working as a senior staffer at the news agency at head office, with part responsibility of training and molding young journalists learning the craft.
Mungoshi said funeral arrangements for Mutugwi will be announced later after consultations with the family.
He leaves behind a wife and children.
New Ziana
